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HERTFORDSHIRE LEP
Where there is HOP, there is HOPE HOP competition provides hope for the future
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new report commissioned by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire gives a snapshot into the hearts and minds of young people during the pandemic and provides hope for the future. A series of focus groups was set up by the Lieutenancy earlier this year to hear directly from young people about the impact of COVID-19 on their studies, mental health and future aspirations.
a fantastic opportunity to signpost young people to available sources of advice and support. That is why we are running this competition to raise awareness of this skills portal. I would like to thank the LordLieutenant for his ongoing support. Where there is HOP, there is HOPE!” Robert Voss CBE CStJ, HM LordLieutenant of Hertfordshire, said: “By
listening to the voice of youth and working together we can find out how best to support and empower them to go on to lead fulfilling, productive lives in the future.” To download the report and find out more about the competition visit: https://www. hopinto.co.uk/win-3-000-for-your-schoolor-youth-group/
Their responses are captured in a report by Deputy Lieutenants Jo Connell and Marion Brown which demonstrates the impact COVID-19 has had on all aspects of their lives. It highlights that now more than ever young people need to know where to access information to help make decisions about their future career paths, training and skills development options. Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal (HOP), powered by Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), is the county’s premier gateway connecting young people to future employment, apprenticeship and training opportunities. To help spread the word about this free resource, Hertfordshire LEP set up a competition offering £3,000 to the school or youth group that registered the most young people, their parents and carers on HOP by 9th July 2021. The prize will be presented in person by HM LordLieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss CBE CStJ. Adrian Hawkins OBE, Chair, Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Skills and Employment Board and Chair, Stevenage Development Board, said: “This report gives us a snapshot into the very real hopes and fears of this generation and presents
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The impact of COVID-19 on young people in Hertfordshire Key findings: • Personal: loss of face-to face interaction with friends and peers; • Studies: uncertainties around exams and assessments causing stress; • University: lot of nervousness about going to university. Would they be behind in their learning; would they be ‘locked’ in their room if there was another lockdown; what restrictions would be in force? • Employment: very few had been able to find part-time work and had been unable to save for their further education. Generally, students were pretty pessimistic about opportunities in the immediate and near future; • Mental health: students with previous mental health issues spoke of how this had deteriorated. Peers, who had not had mental health issues previously, were also affected; • Voice of young people: They felt they had been blamed unfairly for the spread of the pandemic and felt very strongly their voice had not been sought or heard.
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